Prestige Ticketing Ltd, Olympic Park, London

Requirement

In 2010, Prestige Ticketing (PTL) was awarded the exclusive rights to hospitality at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

To deliver a world-class guest experience for visitors from around the world, PTL sought to provide exceptional food, service and entertainment in a temporary venue of an equally high standard.

The Challenge

The brief specified that this should be the “best-ever” hospitality facility. It called for the design and construction of a temporary structure just 80m from the Olympic Stadium that could comfortably accommodate up to 3,000 daily guests attending events in Olympic Park.

Strict timescales, site restrictions and unstable ground presented additional challenges to the installation.

Furthermore, to meet the requirements of the brief from LOCOG, PTL could only appoint contractors that were able to demonstrate a commitment to leadership in environmental performance.

Solution

Following a competitive six-way tender, PTL selected temporary structures specialist Neptunus. Neptunus proposed to fulfill PTL’s requirements with a sustainable, high quality hospitality venue for the duration of the Games.

With space at a premium, the available space was optimised over three floors to accommodate sufficient hospitality space along with essential guest services within the footprint of the building.

Neptunus provided 11,500 square metres of space within three separate, but connected, structures. The venue was dominated by an impressive three-storey high glass atrium at its centre, which formed a spacious entrance lobby and reception area to welcome guests.

The atrium had specially tinted bowed glass to its front to reflect the image of the Olympic Stadium on the outside. Frameless glazing meant that stunning views of the Olympic Park were not impeded for guests inside.

Internally the finish was neat and modern, with staircases, passenger lifts and bridges giving access to themed restaurants. A floor to ceiling void at the structure’s centre also provided a vast entertaining space.

Linked to the north and south of the atrium were two hospitality wings. The wings contained six 500-seater restaurants, each fitted out to a high standard. Neptunus constructed these using two of its standard triple-decker products featuring enhanced roof skins and viewing balconies with glass balustrades.

Neptunus was also responsible for installing climate control and luxury restrooms throughout the structure.

It took a crew of ten Neptunus engineers 18 weeks to complete the construction, which was carried out under stringent CDM regulations. This involved laying 20m deep foundations to support the weight of the structures on the poor quality ground. In total, 80 truckloads of Neptunus components and equipment were delivered to the site, each of which was subject to extensive LOCOG security procedures.

Benefit

The end result was an impressive hospitality complex set within the stunning backdrop of the Olympic Park. The venue allowed guests to soak up the atmosphere at the heart of the action and helped to create a truly memorable experience.

In keeping with the sustainable legacy of the Games, Neptunus disassembled the structures after the Games and returned the parts to its hire stock for resale in the future.

“During the 24 months of the Olympic Park project our team worked with Neptunus on this ambitious project and Neptunus proved to be creative, flexible and professional. The hospitality venue has been widely acclaimed by sports industry professionals and clients and we have received exceptional feedback from the many guests who enjoyed the experience. I would have no hesitation in recommending Neptunus or using their structures in the future.”

Alan Gilpin, Chief Operating Officer, Prestige Ticketing Ltd.

At the Games Neptunus also supplied Evolution structures for a basketball training venue at Lee Valley, as well as two McDonald’s Restaurants and a 4,000 square metres Retail Megastore for LOCOG in Olympic Park. In recognition of their work Neptunus were awarded official status as supplier of temporary buildings (Olympic venues) to the London 2012 Games.